ABSTRACT

The increasing global demand for sustainable food systems and sustainable diets highlight the importance of understanding how young adults, particularly undergraduate students, perceive and adopt sustainable dietary practices. This study investigates the knowledge, attitudes, and behaviors of undergraduates regarding food systems and sustainable diets, emphasizing their potential role as future leaders in sustainability. A cross-sectional research design was utilized to evaluate students' awareness of essential topics, including food security, the environmental effects of dietary choices, and the significance of consuming local and organic foods. A multi-stage sampling approach was used to select 307 respondents from five colleges at Michael Okpara University of Agriculture, Umudike, Abia State. Data collection was conducted through a well-structured questionnaire that included 15 knowledge-based questions on the food system. These questions were adapted from existing frameworks and assessed respondents' understanding, categorizing their overall knowledge as poor, average, or good based on their scores. The collected data were analyzed using Statistical Package for the Social Sciences (SPSS) version 23.0, and results were presented in terms of frequency and percentage. Analysis revealed that the average age of respondents was 23.70 ± 1.91 years. The findings indicated that 19.3% of respondents had an average level of knowledge about food systems, while 8.2% had poor knowledge. In contrast, a majority (73.5%) demonstrated a good understanding of food systems. Additionally, 91.2% of respondents agreed that food provides essential nutrients necessary for sustaining life, demonstrating broad recognition of its fundamental role. Furthermore, 74.3% of respondents supported the statement that "food is life and the driving force of our body," indicating an acknowledgment of food’s holistic role in physical, mental, and emotional well-being. A notable 64.8% associated food with symbols, myths, and values, suggesting that many view food beyond its nutritional value. Similarly, 59.9% agreed that food holds meaning within a broader cultural context, emphasizing its significance in traditions, social identity, and personal experiences. The findings revealed that while 65.2 of the respondants had good knowledge of sustainable diets, 23.4 had average knowledge and 11.4 had poor knowledge of the sustainable diet. Their depth of knowledge varied. A significant proportion of respondents recognized the importance of plant-based diets, reducing food waste, and supporting locally sourced and organic foods as essential components of sustainability. However, despite this awareness, many students faced barriers in adopting sustainable dietary practices, including financial constraints, lack of accessibility to sustainable food options, and personal preferences influenced by cultural and social factors. Additionally, students demonstrated mixed attitudes towards adopting sustainable diets. While a large percentage agreed that their food choices impact the environment, a notable proportion prioritized convenience, taste, and affordability over sustainability. Peer influence, social media, and educational exposure were identified as key factors shaping students’ perceptions and attitudes towards sustainable food consumption. The students' attitude towards sustainable diets with responses on low environmental impact showing a fairly even distribution across all levels, indicating a diverse attitude. However, more people (23.1%) rated it as extremely important, suggesting a considerable recognition of the environmental implications of diet. Strong majority rated biodiversity as quite important or extremely important, with the highest responses in these categories. This indicates that respect for biodiversity is widely regarded as a significant aspect of sustainability in diet. This reflects diverse attitude of sustainability. The results suggest that integrating sustainability-focused curricula and promoting campus-based initiatives could be instrumental in encouraging sustainable dietary habits among students. Increasing awareness and providing practical strategies for sustainable food consumption among undergraduates are essential for supporting global efforts toward a more sustainable food system. This research contributes to discussions on education, sustainability, and youth involvement, offering valuable insights for policymakers, educators, and institutions striving to bridge the gap between knowledge and practical action in sustainable food systems.